"Forgotten" musicals that mean the most to you?
Leading Actor Joined: 7/22/23
Leading Actor Joined: 7/22/23
#55
Posted: 8/6/23 at 5:12pm
110 in the Shade has a glorious score, and I wish it had more than just the Audra revival.
Pipe Dream has a wonderful R&H score, and I think the book could work if it’s just directed to make the prostitution angle clear.
Of Thee I Sing is a riot and should absolutely be revived. It’s a good score, and while it’s of its time in episodic structure, the book is phenomenal and holds up today.
#56
Posted: 8/6/23 at 8:00pm
Zorro the Musical I saw it in London on the West End and loved it (Lesli Margherita stole the show). It closed before I had a chance to see it again.
I kept hoping that it would transfer to Broadway, or do the tour their website said was coming up in the future. But nothing. I think a version played at a community theatre in Salt Lake, and in Paris. As more time passes I figure it's less and less likely it'll happen
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/14/04
Chorus Member Joined: 11/27/19
#63
Posted: 8/7/23 at 12:21pm
carousel94fan said: ""Freedom" from the musical SHENANDOAH (1975?) is wonderful, but I don't know much about the show itself. I've never heard anyone talk about it."
I saw Shenandoah 4 times during its 2 1/2 year run. It was playing in the years when standing ovtions were very rare, yet John Cullum, who I saw 3 times, received a standing ovation all three times I saw him. I don't remember who I saw the fourth time, but I later saw John Raitt at the Papermill Playhouse. He was fine, but it was Cullum's role.
IT was an old-fashioned show that had a very good score. If I remember correctly, the score was by the same folks who did Purlie and, I think, The Me Nobody Knows. They wrote old-fashioned score where you walked out of the theatre humming multiple songs.
I doubt that it would ever be a hit if revived today, but I believe that it would work on a small scale.
#64
Posted: 8/7/23 at 12:41pm
Jarethan said: "carousel94fan said: ""Freedom" from the musical SHENANDOAH (1975?) is wonderful, but I don't know much about the show itself. I've never heard anyone talk about it."
I saw Shenandoah 4 times during its 2 1/2 year run. It was playing in the years when standing ovtions were very rare, yet John Cullum, who I saw 3 times, received a standing ovation all three times I saw him. I don't remember who I saw the fourth time, but I later saw John Raitt at the Papermill Playhouse. He was fine, but it was Cullum's role.
IT was an old-fashioned show that had a very good score. If I remember correctly, the score was by the same folks who did Purlie and, I think, The Me Nobody Knows. They wrote old-fashioned score where you walked out of the theatre humming multiple songs.
I doubt that it would ever be a hit if revived today, but I believe that it would work on a small scale.
SHENENDOAH would be a perfect fit for Encores. The dream casting would (of course) be Hugh Jackman -- but other possibilities would be Patrick Wilson, Danny Burstein, Michael Cerveris, Norbert Leo Butz..
The (only 2) female roles are pretty much thankless (except for "Freedom" ) but Betsy Wolfe would be a terrific Ann.
Leading Actor Joined: 7/22/23
Leading Actor Joined: 7/22/23
#66
Posted: 8/7/23 at 4:35pm
Dom P said: "Lanie J said: "There will always and forever be a special place in my heart for Over Here!"
Patty and Maxine,John Travolta singing Dream Drumming,Janie Sell ,Samuel L. Wright singing Don't shoot the whooey to me Louie. This tried out at the Shubert Philadelphia"
Janie Sell singing Wait for me Marlena, also the late Treat Williams, the late Ann Reinking, and Marilu Henner
#67
Posted: 8/7/23 at 7:27pm
This made me think of two very different shows:
SARAFINA! (1988). A searing look at how Apartheid affected high school students, performed by South African teens. Joyous, thrilling, and an evening that I can recall specific moments from 35+ years later.
DO BLACK PATENT LEATHER SHOES REALLY REFLECT UP? (1982). Just a fun romp through Catholic school from 1st grade to graduation and beyond. Silly, but if performed right it's hysterical.
Leading Actor Joined: 7/22/23
#68
Posted: 8/7/23 at 8:28pm
IronMan said: "This made me think of two very different shows:
SARAFINA!(1988). A searing look at how Apartheid affected high school students, performed by South African teens. Joyous, thrilling, and an evening that I can recall specific moments from 35+ years later.
DO BLACK PATENT LEATHER SHOES REALLY REFLECT UP?(1982). Just a fun romp through Catholic school from 1st grade to graduation and beyond. Silly, but if performed right it's hysterical.
"I actually snagged a copy of "Do Black Patent...." case album,maybe on DRG. It played a long run in Chicago,spent the Summer at the Walnut St Theater in Philly(when they hosted outside Shows). Having been a catholic elementary school kid,I loved it. They opened it at the Alvin(Neil Simon) in NYC and it ran maybe 4 regular performances. Obviously, the wrong move...it might have worked off Broadway Ala Nunsense. It is based on John R. Powers best selling book. I remember the entire cast doing a kick line in oversized Black Patent Leather Shoes.
Leading Actor Joined: 7/22/23
#69
Posted: 8/7/23 at 8:33pm
Jarethan said: "carousel94fan said: ""Freedom" from the musical SHENANDOAH (1975?) is wonderful, but I don't know much about the show itself. I've never heard anyone talk about it."
I saw Shenandoah 4 times during its 2 1/2 year run. It was playing in the years when standing ovtions were very rare, yet John Cullum, who I saw 3 times, received a standing ovation all three times I saw him. I don't remember who I saw the fourth time, but I later saw John Raitt at the Papermill Playhouse. He was fine, but it was Cullum's role.
IT was an old-fashioned show that had a very good score. If I remember correctly, the score was by the same folks who did Purlie and, I think, The Me Nobody Knows. They wrote old-fashioned score where you walked out of the theatre humming multiple songs.
I doubt that it would ever be a hit if revived today, but I believe that it would work on a small scale.
The last revival in 1989 with John Cullum ran for about a month at the Virginia Theater (August Wilson). I believe it's initial premiere,the original run,started in East Haddam,Ct.
Leading Actor Joined: 7/22/23
Leading Actor Joined: 7/22/23
#73
Posted: 8/8/23 at 12:03am
JSquared2 said: "Jarethan said: "carousel94fan said: ""Freedom" from the musical SHENANDOAH (1975?) is wonderful, but I don't know much about the show itself. I've never heard anyone talk about it."
I saw Shenandoah 4 times during its 2 1/2 year run. It was playing in the years when standing ovtions were very rare, yet John Cullum, who I saw 3 times, received a standing ovation all three times I saw him. I don't remember who I saw the fourth time, but I later saw John Raitt at the Papermill Playhouse. He was fine, but it was Cullum's show.
SHENENDOAH would be a perfect fit for Encores. The dream casting would (of course) be Hugh Jackman -- but other possibilities would be Patrick Wilson, Danny Burstein, Michael Cerveris, Norbert Leo Butz..
The (only 2) female roles are pretty much thankless (except for "Freedom" ) but Betsy Wolfe would be a terrific Ann.
"I actually don’t think Jackman would be good. Cullum had some really tough, almost operatic songs, which he sang beautifully. When Jackman — who I have loved in every show he has been in in NYC — gets too nasally when he has songs requiring power.
In fact, of the folks you have listed, only Cerveris could do the songs justice. Norm Lewis could also, but unless someone decided to stage a revisionist production in which the races are reversed, it would be distracting casting IMO.
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